Chapter 9, Problem 17A

What does it mean to say that a machine has a certain mechanical advantage?

To determine

To explain: The meaning of the machine has a certain mechanical advantage.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Machine convert chemical energy of fuel into mechanical energy. It is impossible for any machine to convert all chemical energy into mechanical energy.

Energy or work are impossible for machine to multiply. Machine has certain mechanical advantage means how much input force machine multiplies.

For example if machine has 4 mechanical advantage, then when a 4N force is applied machine exerts a 16 N force.

Conclusion:

The force can be multiplied by certain amount of mechanical advantage.